It would appear that I’ve finally made it to the big leagues of blogdom. Workman Publishing recently contacted me to ask that I review The Official Filthy Rich Handbook, by Christopher Tennant. This pretender to The Official Preppy Handbook throne has been making the reviewer’s rounds and I have secretly hoped to be among the…
Author: OTC
The Allure of Sterling Silver Accessories
Gold may be having its heyday in the markets right now, but silver still holds an unmistakable sway over man. The English are renowned for their penchant of silver collecting and companies like Tiffany have built their reputations on it. Silver, sterling silver in particular – which is nice parts silver to one part copper…
Shopping Las Vegas
I like Las Vegas, not enough to live there but enough to look forward to the five-hour flight from D.C. It’s a remarkable city that draws designers, retailers, craftsmen and brands from around the world. On my most recent business trip to Vegas I was able to carve out a little spare time to explore…
Well Suited for the World Stage
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a column concerning my decidedly negative opinion of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s appearance at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. I found his ill fitting suit, untucked shirt and generally sloppy appearance both confusing and disappointing. I received a host of responses; a number of them from…
The High Church of Horology
On a recent business trip to Las Vegas, I was able to carve out a little spare time to explore Sin City’s other vice: shopping. While gambling – or gaming in the industry’s parlance – is the mother’s milk of Las Vegas, the city’s retail offerings rival most of the world’s A-list cities. Think of…
New Images of J.Crew’s Men’s Store
I recently wrote about J. Crew’s new specialty men’s store in New York. Well, it just opened but before it did, Michael Williams of the excellent blog A Continuous Lean, got a hold of some wonderful pictures shot by photographer Brian Berman. It’s a great looking store and I can’t wait to check it out…
Style Guide: The Colors of Summer
When it comes to summer dressing, most men like the idea of adding a little shot of color to their ensemble but are often fearful of overdoing it. When does a little become too much? How can I show some personality without looking like a caricature? Thinking this over, I am reminded of a fellow…
Election Report: McCain’s Wardrobe in Need of a Good Tailor
Many of you may remember Alan Au from an article I posted back in April on style options for shorter men. Au and his father Jimmy, run Jimmy Au’s for Men 5’8” and Under; a leader in providing tailored clothing to shorter men. Over at The Huffington Post Alan posted a great critical analysis of…
Style Guide: The Khaki Suit
I recently acquired a khaki suit. I’ve always wanted one and, being originally from New England, saw it as a happy inevitability. When warm weather hits, khaki suits – often in cotton poplin or chino – are to Connecticut what the seersucker suit is to South Carolina. Crisp, cool style that, as the day wears…
Earnings Season Tailored to Ralph’s World
Not all economic news is negative. Yesterday, Ralph Lauren Corp., announced first quarter results that indicates the company is exactly where it wants to be. Amid the credit crunch and housing slump luxury companies appear to be doing just fine and Polo is leading the pack. Shares of Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., jumped 7.1 percent…